Blessings Abound

Family & Friends,

Christmas has come once again, and it's time to write the annual Christmas letter, to share what has gone on in the last year for us. (I say annual Christmas letter, but I think this is the first one I have ever written. ~Luke) Looking over the last year, we realize just how blessed we are. We are blessed to have the friends and family we do. We are blessed to have had some of the opportunities that we have had over the past year. We are blessed that Jesus Christ came to earth, and paid the penalty for our sin.

One of the biggest blessings we received this year was the birth of our daughter Brece Anne. She was born on June 12. She was born with a full head of curly hair. She was a larger baby at 9 lbs 12 oz and at 6 months old she is still big for her age. As with all first time parents, we have had our ups and downs, and we are beginning to learn about who this little person is. We are pretty sure that she will be a strong willed little girl, who knows what she wants and is not afraid to ask for it. She already loves to talk. We can't get enough of her hugs and kisses that she loves to give out. For us, her smile lights up the room.

Another change for us was moving to Hesston. After spending our first year of marriage in Germany it was time to move back closer to family before Brece's birth. We left Germany at the end of March, and moved into a house in Hesston. The winter had been very grey and snowy, and Tamra was ready for the Kansas weather again. She used to really like snow, but after walking to the store nearly daily while being pregnant was enough to make her tired of the snow. We have really enjoyed living in Hesston. It is a nice town that is close to family. We enjoyed being away for our first year of marriage, but we were ready to be closer to family and friends again. I don't think that the Grandparents would have liked me too much if we would have stayed in Germany to have Brece.

Tamra is currently staying home with Brece, and making our house into a wonderful home. She continues to work on her master's in Public Health Nursing. She is nearing the end of the class work, and plans to finish in Spring 2011. She also enjoys spending time with other women from the area who have babies that are about the same age as Brece.

After working for 2 years in Germany, it was a bit of an adjustment for me to work here. The pace in Germany was much slower and more methodical than the office here. Besides work and spending thime with Brece and Tamra, I have taken up smoking -- smoking meat that is. The first try was a big disaster, but it has gotten better since then. (At least I think so, and Tamra does not complain.) Absolutely not complaining...it's all been delicious...well, except the first try...and it's a meal I don't have to cook. Can't beat that! ~Tamra

We thank God for what He has done in our lives. We have been placed in amazing families who love, serve and support us. We have been blessed with friends that care for and encourage us. We have met people in Hesston who have befriended us. We have a God who is on His throne in heaven, and whose plans are not changed.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year.
~The Calls